City of Palo Alto Transfer Tax
City of Palo Alto charges $1.65 per $500 of price or fraction (0.33%) on top of the California state tax ($0.55 per $500 of price or fraction (0.11%)). On a $854,000 home that is $3,757 in total. City of Palo Alto Conveyance Tax (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
City of Palo Alto transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | City of Palo Alto | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $165 | $495 | $660 |
| $200,000 | $220 | $660 | $880 |
| $250,000 | $275 | $825 | $1,100 |
| $300,000 | $330 | $990 | $1,320 |
| $350,000 | $385 | $1,155 | $1,540 |
| $400,000 | $440 | $1,320 | $1,760 |
| $450,000 | $495 | $1,485 | $1,980 |
| $500,000 | $550 | $1,650 | $2,200 |
| $600,000 | $660 | $1,980 | $2,640 |
| $700,000 | $770 | $2,310 | $3,080 |
| $800,000 | $880 | $2,640 | $3,520 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,100 | $3,300 | $4,400 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
Negotiable. City of Palo Alto Conveyance Tax (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in City of Palo Alto?
City of Palo Alto charges $1.65 per $500 of price or fraction (0.33%), on top of the California state tax, so a $854,000 home pays $3,757 in total ($939 state, $2,818 local).
Who pays the City of Palo Alto transfer tax?
Negotiable. City of Palo Alto Conveyance Tax (from the county recorder research, 2026-09-22)
Sources
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
California transfer tax overview → All California buyer closing costs →
Figures are computed from the statutes and ordinances cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
California transfer tax